6 of the Best American Children’s Charities
With almost 1 million charities registered in the United States today, choosing the right cause can be a daunting task. We explore six American children’s charities and the vital work they carry out supporting children and their families, both within the United States and abroad.
1. Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula
Silicon Valley has established an international reputation as the land of opportunity, with many residents amassing unprecedented wealth. Nevertheless, for many, the promise of prosperity that drew workers from far and wide failed to materialize. In Silicon Valley today, too many young people lack access to the opportunities that make the region so dynamic.
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula was created with the vision that all young people, irrespective of socioeconomic background, benefit from a quality education, decent housing, and a fair paying job — if they are prepared to work hard. The organization’s mission is to provide youth with the low income backgrounds the opportunities they need to achieve academic success and build fulfilling careers.
In the communities Boys & Girls Clubs serve, English is a second language for 80 percent of students. By working with families and schools, the organization has helped close the opportunities gap. It provides learning programs four days a week to 2,500 local students. This has helped ensure that 90 percent of participating students graduate high school with a post-secondary education plan.
2. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
For more than a century, Big Brothers Big sisters has been changing the lives of children across America. It matches them with caring adults who serve as mentors and guide them on the path to success.
When children and young people have the influence of a caring adult, they are much more likely to focus on academics and avoid risky behaviors. Today’s youth, particularly those living in underserved communities, face a variety of challenges. Being matched with a Big Brother or Big Sister can make a massive impact on their lives, helping guide them through these challenges to reach their full potential.
3. Save the Children
Since the advent of the COVID-19 crisis, children from deprived backgrounds need help more than ever. When donors give to Save the Children, 87 percent of every pledge goes straight towards the organization’s mission: changing the lives of millions of children, both within the US and around the world.
According to Save the Children: $50 can feed 10 children during the pandemic; $150 can buy 75 face masks, protecting front line health workers engaged in the fight against COVID-19; and $300 can provide 12 families experiencing crisis with emergency shelter.
Save the Children strives to transform the way health care is delivered in some of the world’s hardest-to-reach regions. Over the last 100 years, the organization has changed the lives of more than 1 billion children in the US and beyond.
4. Canines for Kids
Canines for Kids aims to increase public awareness about service dogs. Representatives from the organization travel the country to deliver educational presentations and consultations to students, civic groups, businesses, and religious groups about assistance dogs.
The organization’s mission is to increase independence for children with disabilities by promoting assistance dog partnerships and increasing community awareness and understanding. Founded in 1998, Canines for Kids serves 3,500 people in 11 states, providing services to children, families, schools, and other groups free of charge.
5. Delaware Valley Children’s Charity
This children’s charity supports young people and families across the Delaware Valley. Bags of toys or winter coats may not change lives, but they could touch a heart. That is where it all starts: people caring about people, and giving hope.
The organization’s main objective is to improve the lives of children from underprivileged backgrounds. Over the past 34 years, Delaware Valley Children’s Charity staff and volunteers have worked tirelessly to deliver an annual Holiday Program, bringing joy to thousands of local children and families in need.
Delaware Valley Children’s Charity provides a variety of support and financial aid. It has offered everything from hearing aids to providing heating oil for winter. It works alongside its sponsors and contributors to make difficult lives a little bit brighter.
6. Variety
All children are special. This New York children’s charity serves those who are growing up with a disability, serious illness, or other disadvantage with life-saving medical services and equipment through the Variety Care Program. The organization saves lives, helps children on the road to recovery, and delivers services and equipment that promote health and wellness.
Through its grants, Variety supports children, families, and children’s health organizations, sponsoring children’s wards and hospitals. Variety grants fund a wide range of services and equipment, including ventilators and nebulizers, specialized wigs, prosthetics and orthotics, dental care, auditory items, and respite care.
